Reid says House debt offer won’t work

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said Friday that the six-week debt limit holiday House Republicans proposed is bad policy that would mean the government would be right back in the same situation soon.

Mr. Reid, Nevada Democrat, didn't say whether he would allow the bill up for a vote if it reaches his chamber, but was harshly critical of it, saying it was inadequate.

"Using their theory, we would have another one of these periods of bedlam here in Washington right before the most important purchasing season any time during the year — Christmas," said Mr. Reid.

House Republicans are apparently negotiating with President Obama over the debt limit, but Mr. Reid wants to see a debt increase with no negotiations or strings attached.

He is pushing ahead with a bill that would give the government a 15-month debt holiday — which Republicans said would amount to a $1 trillion increase — so Congress wouldn't have to address the issue again until after the 2014 congressional elections.

The Senate is slated to take a test filibuster vote on that matter Saturday.

Soon after Mr. Reid's remarks the Senate went into a recess so Senate Republicans could go to the White House to meet with Mr. Obama.